Hopes high for DMR and the Extreme 3 Drag Race
Photo courtesy Gardner Broz.
For Darren Morgan Racing, today's Santo's Cranes Super 3 Extreme Drag Race represents a great opportunity to regain the lead in the ANDRA Top Fuel Championship.
"Getting the car from A to B under power is what we need to do," said crew chief Ben Patterson. "With the cooler weather we are very confident the car will perform well. "
"The car's ready, the team's ready and Darren is excited to get back behind the wheel after top qualifying at the previous Championship round in Perth."
The competition will be tough this weekend but Darren Morgan Racing is up for the challenge. "Not only do we have the strong local competitors," said Darren, "but NHRA Top Fuel Champion Larry Dixon will also be here to take on the Aussies."
"From memory, I think I've only lost 1 round of racing to our friends from USA and I'll be looking to keep those odds in my favour."
"For Santo to put on this event is a great shot in the arm for Top Fuel Drag Racing, and we'll be doing everything in our power to honour the memory of Louie Rapisarda and take home the trophy named after Santo's late son."
The Santo's Cranes Super 3 Extreme Drag Race is a departure from the way events have been traditionally run.
Trialled in Perth, the event will see two championship rounds of Top Fuel and Top Alcohol held on Friday and Saturday, with victors crowned on each evening. The event will also feature the 3 round format; a compulsory qualifier followed by round 1 of eliminations. The 4 quickest winners will then go through to an A and B Final.
"The 3 round format posses a number of challenges for the teams," said Darren. "It's imperative to get a representative time in the 1 and only qualifier to set yourself up for the first round. It's about getting from A to B as clean as possible. Winning isn't enough, you have to win well to make it to the A Final."
The team's car and transporter arrived at Willowbank Raceway yesterday thanks to K-Trans WA. Darren and the crew flew out Thursday to begin preparations on the car while crew chief Ben Patterson made the flight from Melbourne to Brisbane late last night. The youngest top fuel tuner in the world spent Thursday at his graduation ceremony having recently completed a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering.
DMR would like to thank their sponsors, K Trans WA, Shannons Insurance and Victorian American Imports along with their many associate partners.
The Santo's Cranes Super 3 Extreme Drag Race at Willowbank Raceway takes place this Friday and Saturday, with Top Fuel qualifying beginning from 5pm on both days.
Current ANDRA Top Fuel Championship Points
- Phil Lamattina - 418
- Darren Morgan - 375
- Mark Sheehan - 184
- Allan Dobson - 182
- Steve Read - 149
- Damien Harris - 112
- Luke Shepherd - 87
- Martin Stamatis - 63
- Terry Sainty - 44
